Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers earn a median of $52,540 per year ($25.26/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 3.2% through 2035, with about 3,700 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-9071
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker in four numbers
- Median pay
- $52,540a year, or $25.26/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $36KTop 10% $88K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -3.2%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−3.2%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −3.2% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 3,70032,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202532.8K
- Projected 203531.8K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 32.8K Projected 2035 31.8K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school25.3%
- Certificate21.4%
- Some college19.5%
- Associate's16.5%
- Bachelor's8.8%
- Post-bacc certificate6.9%
Highest education held by jewelers and precious stone and metal workers Segment Value High school 25.3% Certificate 21.4% Some college 19.5% Associate's 16.5% Bachelor's 8.8% Post-bacc certificate 6.9%
Also advertised as: Appraiser, Artisan Jeweler, Bench Jeweler, Caster, Gemologist, Goldsmith.
Pay
How much do Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers make?
Every jeweler and precious stone and metal worker in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$52,540
Middle half earn $39,520 to $69,810
- 10th
- $35,580
- 25th
- $39,520
- 75th
- $69,810
- 90th
- $87,540
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $35,580 |
| 25th | $39,520 |
| Median | $52,540 |
| 75th | $69,810 |
| 90th | $87,540 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $52,540
- Median hourly wage
- $25.26/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $57,960
- People employed
- 22,440
Versus all US occupations
At $52,540, Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers earn 3% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $1,560 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 9% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $87,540 or more while the bottom 10% earn $35,580, a gap of 2.5×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 25% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Connecticut pays the most at $69,800, and still leads at $67,368 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Connecticut | $69,800 | $67,368 | 140 |
| 2Virginia | $61,940 | $61,264 | 240 |
| 3New York | $61,720 | $57,190 | 4,300 |
| 4California | $60,790 | $54,904 | 2,300 |
| 5South Carolina | $60,380 | $64,406 | 200 |
| 6Washington | $60,380 | $56,423 | 290 |
| 7New Jersey | $59,480 | $54,667 | 780 |
| 8Vermont | $58,570 | $59,791 | 50 |
| 9Kansas | $57,730 | $64,096 | 110 |
| 10Colorado | $57,120 | $55,428 | 220 |
Job outlook
Is Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -3.2% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers | −3.2% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers to change -3.2% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 1,100 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 3,700 openings are projected each year, 11.3% of the 32,800 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Automating technology, including 3D printing and robotic polishing, is expected to continue to increase the productivity of jewelers and precious stone and metal workers, which will likely reduce their employment demand. In addition, increasing imports may reduce demand for domestically produced jewelry.
Getting in
How to become a Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation, and they learn their skills on the job. Some workers complete an apprenticeship or trade school program.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as jewelers and precious stone and metal workers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)25.3%
- Post-Secondary Certificate21.4%
- Some College Courses19.5%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree16.5%
- Bachelor's Degree8.8%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 25.3% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 21.4% |
| Some College Courses | 19.5% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 16.5% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 8.8% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker do?
Design, fabricate, adjust, repair, or appraise jewelry, gold, silver, other precious metals, or gems.
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers design, construct, adjust, repair, appraise and sell jewelry and related products.
Day-to-day tasks
- Examine assembled or finished products to ensure conformance to specifications, using magnifying glasses or precision measuring instruments.
- Record the weights and processing times of finished pieces.
- Clean and polish metal items and jewelry pieces, using jewelers' tools, polishing wheels, and chemical baths.
- Shape and straighten damaged or twisted articles by hand or using pliers.
- Create jewelry from materials such as gold, silver, platinum, and precious or semiprecious stones.
- Smooth soldered joints and rough spots, using hand files and emery paper, and polish smoothed areas with polishing wheels or buffing wire.
- Cut and file pieces of jewelry such as rings, brooches, bracelets, and lockets.
- Position stones and metal pieces, and set, mount, and secure items in place, using setting and hand tools.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most jewelers and precious stone and metal workers work full time, and work schedules may vary.
Self-employed workers may sell their products at trade and craft shows during weekends. Retail store workers also may work nonstandard schedules because they must be available outside normal business hours, such as in the evenings or on holidays and weekends.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where jewelers and precious stone and metal workers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods retailers35%
- Self-employed workers32%
- Jewelry and silverware manufacturing15%
- Merchant wholesalers, durable goods6%
- Personal and household goods repair and maintenance4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods retailers | 35% |
| Self-employed workers | 32% |
| Jewelry and silverware manufacturing | 15% |
| Merchant wholesalers, durable goods | 6% |
| Personal and household goods repair and maintenance | 4% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.1
- Speaking3.0
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Reading Comprehension2.8
- Monitoring2.8
- Writing2.5
- Active Learning2.4
- Learning Strategies2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.8 |
| Monitoring | 2.8 |
| Writing | 2.5 |
| Active Learning | 2.4 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness2.9
- Coordination2.9
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9
- Service Orientation2.6
- Complex Problem Solving2.6
- Time Management2.6
- Instructing2.5
- Persuasion2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.9 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.9 |
| Service Orientation | 2.6 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.6 |
| Time Management | 2.6 |
| Instructing | 2.5 |
| Persuasion | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Accounting software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Customer relationship management CRM software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Internet browser software
- Inventory management software
- Point of sale POS software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 4 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules.
- Realistic6.6
- Artistic3.7
- Conventional3.4
- Investigative2.6
- Enterprising1.5
- Social1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker
O*NET related occupations
- Production
- Production
- Production
Grinding and Polishing Worker, Hand
$42,660median a year
Most earn $33K to $61K
−19.2%No formal credential - Production
Molder, Shaper, and Caster, Except Metal and Plastic
$46,170median a year
Most earn $36K to $62K
+5.8%High school - Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Production
More production careers
Median annual pay, with jewelers and precious stone and metal workers highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker$52,540
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker | $52,540 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within jeweler and precious stone and metal worker
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker appears on
Questions
Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker: frequently asked questions
How much do Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers make?
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers earn a median of $52,540 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 3% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $25.26/hr. The middle half earn between $39,520 and $69,810. The top 10% earn $87,540 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers. BLS also lists long-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 25.3% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 3.2% over 2025–2035, a loss of 1,100 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 3,700 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker do?
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers design, construct, adjust, repair, appraise and sell jewelry and related products. A core O*NET task: examine assembled or finished products to ensure conformance to specifications, using magnifying glasses or precision measuring instruments. Employers most often ask for Accounting software, Electronic mail software, Graphics or photo imaging software.
Which states pay Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers the most?
The highest state medians for Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers are Connecticut ($69,800), Virginia ($61,940), New York ($61,720) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker?
O*NET scores Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers highest on the Realistic, Artistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTP, ISTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.